Recording device.



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RECORDING DEVICE.

VAPPLIUATIOH FILED SEPT. 25, 190s.

3 sums-SHEET 2.

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WJTNESSES Wi HBss, JR.

RECORDING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 25. 1909.

Patented Jal1.10,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W/TNESSES 04P@- @M A INVENTORI mechanism is caused to drive,

second or stage UNITED STATES PATEN T OEETCE.

WENDELL HESS, JR., OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 W. &, L. E. GURLEY, A Y CORl?013,111'110Nv OF NEW YORK.

' RECORDING DEVICE.

Speecation of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 10, 1911.

Application filed September 25, 1909. Serial No. 519,554.

vices, andhas'for its :object the arrangement and construction of a' periodic recordmg device making a printed record of the position of some body, as, for instance, a-oat upon the surface of'a liquid.' Vhen arrangedwith such` float, it becomes an eiii cient water-stage recorder, and I illustrate and describe the device in thisconnection, but call attention to the fact -that the device is capable of recordingl the successive positions of any moving body that might be substituted for the float above mentioned.

The general principle upon which the device operates is as follows: A suitable clock continuously, a type-wheel, carrying dies, or types, adapted to rint time at successive intervals of; say, fi teen minutes. At the termination of each o'f these time-intervals, the clock closes an electric circuit and causes a hammer or platen to be thrown against the type-wheel, for Vthe purpose of prmting upon an interposed ri bon of paper fed'along with the time type-wheel. Adjacent to this time type wheel 1s a second type-wheel, operatively connected to move -with a float or other object, so as to bring to the printing-point appropriate types or dies to indicate the position of the float or other object. This type-wheel is struck by the same hammer or platen, and prints-on the same paper ribbon, so that a simultaneous record is taken of time and stage. As the ribbon is fed along with the type-wheel, and as the distance between successive dies is small, a simple feed and economy in the use of tape are secured.

I shall describe the preferred embodiment of the device in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fi ure 1 is a frontelevation of the assemb ed device, the front portion of the case being removed and the batteries omitted; Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly sectional, of the apparatus shown in F ig. 1, the plane of sectlon being on the center-line of the device; Fig. 3 is an elevat-ion of a fragment of the printing-wheels and hammer; Figyll is a s1de elevation of the printing-wheels, as shown in Eig. 3; Fig. 5 is a. section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2; F ig. 7 is a detail elevation of the parts comprising the periodic circuit-closing device and the battery wiring, etc.; and Fig. 8 repl'resents a portion of the record tape, showg ing'practically constant water-stage.

' -Llke numerals refer to like parts throughout.

The apparatus is supported in 'a frame or easel, usually of wood.

2 is a clock, having the usual dial 3 and handsV 45.v The movement of this clock is similarv in all 'respects to the ordinary striking' clock movement, the clock being arranged `to strike vone stroke at regular timeintervals, say, on eachquarter-hour. This striking mechanism is used as a circuit-closer. The metal clock-frame 5 is connected through 'binding-post 6 and wires 7 (sec Fig. 7) to one terminal of an electric battery 8, carried in a swinging block or bracket 9, pivoted to the frame V1,on a pin or bolt 9a. This connects the bell-hammer l0 to one of the battery terminals. lIn the path of backward movement of the hammer is a light leaf spring 11, carried by bindingpost l2 and connected by wires 13 through an electromagnet 14, t0 the other terminal of the battery. As the binding post 12 is insulated from frame 5, the contact Vof hammer 10 with spring 11 completes a circuit through the battery 8, its connections and the electroanagnet 14, energizing the latter. Thus, the magnet is periodically energized for a short time at regular intervals, the purpose in using the rearward movement of the hammer to effect such energization, being that its motion is then at its slowest, so that a good Contact can be secured.

Projecting rearwardly from the clock is an extension 15 of the shaft upon which the hourdiand is mounted. Concentric and in line with this is a shaft 16, carried on the frame 1, and loosely mounted on this shaft 16 are two typewheels 17 and 18. The wheel 18 is mounted on roller-bearings 19, and is connected by means of a sleeve 20 and pins 21 tothe extension 15. Consequently, it revolves with the hour-shaft of the clock.

The wheel 17 is mounted on plain bearings and carries a gear 2Q, attached thereto by screws 22, said gear meshing with a pinion 23, loose on stub-axle Qfl, carried by frame 1. IP ast to pinion 23, is a sprocket 25, over which runs a chain 26 carrying at one end a float 2', and at the other a counterweight QS, to keep the chain taut. As the lloat Q7 rises and falls with the waterlevel, sprocket 25 will be rotated in one or the other direction, and wheel 17 Will be turned through the gear-train to a corresponding position.

theel 17 carries types 29, appropriately spaced and bearing the proper numerals or legends to record at the printing-point the various positions of ioat 27. lVheel 18 carries types adapted to record at the printing point the times in hours and minutes corresponding to the positions of the hour-hand at the various time-intervals marked by the closing of the circuit. These Wheels 17 and 1S carry, respectively, ribs 31 and 32, adapted to guide and retain a tape 33 over the type-faces.

rlhe type-Wheel 13 is provided With a series of very ne needle points 18, projecting beyond itsperiphery so as to penetrate the record tape 33 (as at 1S, Fig. 8), and cause it to move with the type-wheel. The diameter over the type faces on `Wheel-18 may be made slightly larger than the similar measurement on Wheel 17, so that the latter may rotate free of the tape.

rl`he ribbon 33 is made up of two strips, the record strip 3i and a carbon paper ribbon 35, or pigmentcarrier to give the necessary mark When the ribbon is struck against the type-Wheels. These two strips are wound together on a spool 3G, whence they pass up around the type-wheels and down to a second spool 37. This spool 37 is urged in its winding direction by a weight 38, hung on a cord 39, wound around a drum 110. Connection between the spool 37 and drum 40 is had through a train of gears Lt1 and a2. The purpose of this driving mechanism is merely to keep the ribbon taut and take the load ofi' the clock mechanism, the real feed of the paper being effected by the time type- Wheel 1S.

From the above description it is obvious that the proper time type is brought to printing position at the end of each timeinterval. At such moment the electric circuit is completed and energizing the magnetcauses an impression to be taken on the tape of this time die and the nearest die on the stage type-Wheel, through the following instrumentalities 43 is a bracket carried on frame 1. A short arm 44, of a bell-crank lever pivoted in this bracket, carries an armature 45 adjacent the pole of magnet 14, so as to be drawn down when the magnet is energized. The

long arm 4.-(3 of this lever carries a rubber platen 4-7 and a pin 4S. IVhen the arm 4d is drawn down, platen 47 is thrown against the type-wheel, making a record on the ribbon. Iin L18 punctures the paper and accurately indicates the stage, as the platen is apt to cause a series of two or more dies to print because of their closeness on the stage type-wheel. This is clearly indicated in Fig. 8, Where the simultaneous printing of several dies is illustrated. The perforation 49 indicates exactly Which reading is the one to be taken as corresponding to the time printed by the time-Wheel.

It will be noted that the record shown in Fig. 8 indicates no substantial change in the Water-stage.

The idea of driving the ribbon constant-ly and by means of the time type-Wheel is important, as simplifying the mechanism and economizing space; also, because if a record is missed, the blank space in the record ribbon will, undoubtedly, call attention to the fact.

Then the recorder is positioned, it is necessary to `so 'adjust the stage type-wheel that itshall print the correct designation for the position of the float.' To accomplish this purpose it is merely necessary to lift the chain from the sprocket Wheel, and turn the type-Wheel to the position corresponding to the water stage. -The chain is t ien placed over the sprocket Wheel, and the record printed, will thereafter be directreading without correction or computation of any sort.

In the following claims I shall use the words printing and type in the broad sense, as indicating any method or means for printing, embossing, perforating or otherwise forming upon the record strip leglble characters, and l shall use the term printed record to indicate a record made as above, as contradistinguished from a continuous record, the latter being a record traced by a stylus andindicating quantity or other conditions by the length of the line so traced, or by its height above a base line, or by similar characteristics lof the line, as is common in recording devices.

' Having thus described my invention, what. I claim is 1. In a device adapted to record time and another quantity upon a record sheet, the combination of a. movable series of type adapted to print characters representing the time; a second and independently movable -series of type adapted to print characters representing said other quantity; and means for moving said record sheet simultaneously and in contact with the time printing type, the characters impressed by each series o type at each recordation being individually legible Without computation.

2. In a device adapted to make a printed record of time and of the positions of an object upon a record sheet, the cmnhination of printing means adapted to print the desired times', said means including a type carrier which also feeds the record sheet a second ftype carrier eoacting with said printingr means adapted to print upon said record' sheet characters which represent positions of the object; and connections between said object and the second type carrier whereby the carrier is moved by the object independent-ly of the first type carrier.

3. ln a device adapted to make periodic records upon a record sheet, the combination of mechanism adapted to print individually legible characters indicating time; means for driving said record sheet continuously at approximately constant speed; and means movable relatively to the time printing means for printingr individually legible characters indicating the quantity recorded.

4f. A. recording device comprising in combination a type wheel carrying at suitable intervals types adapted to print individually legible cha racters indicating time; means for drlving said wheel at constant and appropriate speed; a second and adjacent wheel movable by the body subject to record; types on said Wheel adapted to print individually legible characters indicatin(JV corresponding positions of said body; and means for periodically taking an impression o type of each wheel= upon a record strip, as the time types successively reach a. predetermined point, said strip passing partially about said wheels.

5l A recording device comprising, in combination, a time-keeping mechanism; a printing-wheel driven by said time-keeping mechanism; a second printingwheel adjacent said first printing-wheel and movable by the object subject to record; means for feeding a record tape around said printing-wheels and causing it. to move with said first printing-wheel; and means for taking periodic impressions of types' on said wheels on the record tape.

G. A recording device comprising, in combination, a time-keeping mechanism; a printing-wheel driven by said time-keeping mechanism; a second printing-licei adjacent said first printing-wheel and movable by the object subject to record: means for feeding a record tape around said printing-wheels and causing it to move with .f-aid first printingwheel; and means, comprising an electromagnetic hannner controlled by the limekceping mechanism, for taking periodic impressions of types on said wheels on the record tape.

'l'. A recording device comprising, in combination. a time-keeping mechanism; a printing-wheel driven by the time-keeping mechanism; a second printing-wheel adjacent the first, printing-wheel, of slightly less diameter and movable by the body subject. to record; means for feeding a record tape about said printing-wheels and for keeping it. in contact with a portion of said first printing-wheel; and means for taking periodic impressions of types on said printing-wheels, upon said record tape.

S. A record feed mechanism for recordingr devices comprising` in combination, a clot-.lfdriven time-printing type-wheel; a loose spool; a geared spool; a drum geared to said geared spool; a cord Wound on said drum; and means for exerting tension on said cord. the mechanism being so arranged that a tape may pass from the loose spool around a portion of the type-Wheel, move therewith. and then be Wound upon the geared spool. l

9. A record feed mechanism for recording devices comprising, in combination, a clock-driven type-Wheel; a free-turning spool; a second spool; and mechanism tending to rotate said second spool, the above devices being so arranged that a tape may pass from the free-turning spool, around a portion of the type-Wheel and move therewith, and then be Wound upon the second spool.

10. A recording device comprising, in combination, a time-keeping mechanism; a series of time-printing dies driven by said time-keeping mechanism; a second series of printing dies adjacent said rst series and movable by the object subject to record;A means for feeding a. record tape in Contact with said time-printing dies and causing it to move therewith; and means for taking simultaneous impressions of dies in the tivo series upon the record tape.

1l. In a. recording mechanism comprising a clock, printing dies controlled thereby, and printing dies controlled by the object subject to record; a device for taking periodic impressions of said dies upon a4 record strip, comprising, in combination, a lever, pivotal mountings for said lever, a suitable platen carried by said lever, an armature fast to .said lever, an electro-magnet adjacent said armature, a source of electric current, an arm movable by said clock at certain time periods, a contact-piece in the path of said arm, and suitable connections whereby the contact of said arm with said contact-piece completes a circuit. through the electro-magnet.

12. In a recording device adapted to make a printed record of time and of another quantity upon a record sheet, printing type; means for supplying a pigmentl carrier to said type; and a plurality of pins moving with said type and engaging said sheet to move the latter, said pins being formed separately from the type.

13. A recordingdevice comprisinff. in combination, a time-keeping mechanism; a printing-wl'ieel driven by the time-keeping mechanism; a plurality of sharp pins projectng from the face of said type wheel; a second printing-wheel adjacent the first printing-wheel. of slightly less diameter and movable by the body subject to record; means for feeding a record tape about said printing-wheels and for keeping it in contact with a portion of said first printing Wheel; and means for taking periodic impressions of types on said printing-wheels, upon said record tape.

14. In a recording device, a time keeping mechanism; a printing Wheel operatively connected thereto; and a record feeding mechanism adapted to hold a record sheetin contact With said print-ing wheel and to urge it in the direction of movement of the printing wheel.

15. In a recording device, the combination of a series of printinfY dies; means for moving said dies at nnit'orm speed in a given direction; and a record feeding mechanism adapted to hold a record sheet in Contact with the dies and to urge it in the direction of movement of the dies.

16. In combination with a time keeping mechanism, a printing Wheel operatively connected thereto; a plurality of pins projecting beyond the face of the printing wheel; and a record feeding mechanism adapted to hold a record sheet in contact with said pins and to urge said sheet in the direction of movement of the printing Wheel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WENDELL HESS, JR.

Witnesses:

A. C. VANDERZEE, .Y J. E. Komm 

